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In a strong sign that Apple may enter the mobile-payment business, the company has hired Benjamin Vigier, a near field communications guru, as its product manager for mobile commerce. NFC readers, which deliver small bits of data, could be used to replace credit cards in establishing a mobile-payment process.

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TeliaSonera's initial trials of LTE technology in Sweden show a network that can deliver blazing speeds but still faces challenges providing clear indoor signals. Verizon Wireless plans to use different frequencies and levels of bandwidth in its U.S.-based LTE network, according to industry observers who say that will likely result in improved indoor reception and slower -- albeit still fast -- speeds.

Just as the number of Android-based smartphones increases, users of the Google-backed operating system have also become relatively robust bandwidth consumers, according to research from Rhythm NewMedia, a mobile-ad firm. The firm reports that 72% of Android users watch video over carriers' networks compared with 28% via Wi-Fi, while 44% of iPhone customers access video over Wi-Fi.

Research in Motion has reportedly agreed to provide Indian officials with partial access to instant messages emanating from BlackBerry devices by the government's Sept. 1 deadline amid ministers' warnings they will block data services if operators fail to devise a monitoring system. RIM also said it will remain in talks with India this week to find a compromise to the country's insistence of monitoring highly encrypted corporate e-mail messages.

Verizon Wireless has a full plate of Android-based devices on its fall launch list, according to Internet reports that point to the introduction of the Motorola Droid Pro smartphone and the possible rollout of a tablet computer. The Droid Pro will reportedly feature a 4-inch screen and 1.3-GHz processor for a November debut.